Game-ball and method of making same.



B. H. BLOCKSOM.

GAME BALL AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20. Ian.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918..

' fave/gig?" IBERGET H BLOCKSOM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WILSON & 00., INC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

GAME-BLLL AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918..

Application filed September 20, 1917. Serial No. 192,269.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Bnnenr H. BnooKsoM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game-l3falls and Methods of Making Same, of WhlOh the following is a specification. g

This invention relates to indoor base-balls and the like and the method of making same and it has for its object the inexpensive production of a ball which embodies the deslrable features of softness, resiliency and re v te-ntion of shape 1n use.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the followin specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof, in which Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the material from which the. ball is constructed;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the ball with a portion of the cover broken away;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the ball;

Fig. 4 is a similar view in a plane at right angles to the plane of F1g'. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective illustrating the method of constructing the ball.

In carrying out my invention I employ strips of material cut from reinforced curled hair bats. These bats are formed by arranging a layer 5 of hair with a reinforcing fabric 6, such for example as burlap, on one side thereof and forcin portions 7 of the hair through the interstlces of the burlap as indicated in Fig. 1, so that the burla is firmly secured to one face of the bat an serves to reinforce it and maintain itinits finlshed form.

As indicated in Fig.3 the innermost strip 1 i 3 8 is folded upon itself until it is generally cylindrical in shape. It is then wound with string or twine 9 by which it is drawn into a generally spherical form. The constitutes the core of the ball.

Two strips 10 of material cut from similar hair bats are then wrapped about the core in opposite directions the direction of one of the strips being at right angles to the direction of-winding of the strip 8. A layer 11 of string or twine is then wound about the strips 10 giving the ball a somewhat more spherical form than was possible 111 core, and strips of *about. said of each strip abut the sides of the strip, said strips being .confined shaping the core. Two-additional strips 12 of material cut from hair bats .are then disposed about the ball in directions corresponding to the direction of winding of the strips 10 after which a winding 13 of string or twine is disposed about the ball to brin it to its final spherical form. The ball is now complete except for the cover 14 which is disposed about the ball and stitched in the manner well known in the art.

A ball constructed in the manner described Will be found to be extremely resilient, yet sufliciently soft for the desired purpose and will retain its shape in use for a considerable period. The ball may be constructed in the manner described at a relatively small expense as compared to methods heretofore in use.

It will be readily understood, therefore,-

produce a superior ball having numerous desirable features at "a comparatively slight cos a It will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the'parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore disclosed being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

. I claim:. I

1. In a game ball, a body constructed of strip-f.1 of reinforced curled hair shaped and con ed to substantially spherical form.

2. In a game ball, a body comprising a core, and strips of curled hair arranged about said core angularly with relation to each other and shaped and maintained in substantially spherical form.

Ina game ball, a body comprising a curled hair arranged core in directions substantially at right angles to each other so that the ends contiguous and maintamed in substantially spherical form.

4. In a ame ball, a body comprising a plurality 0 layers of reinforced curled hair and a winding of twine overlying each layer to compress the hair and retain the substantially spherical sha e of the ball.

5. In a game ba a body comprising a core of reinforced curled hair, alternate layrameee comprising t e alternate layers being wound in directions at right an es to each other andshaped to substanti' 1y spherical form by said layers of twine. p i

7. In a game ball, a body comprising a core of reinforced curled hair, alternate lay ers of twine and reinforced curled hair 8. method of making game balls which comprises forming a core, Winding stri s of reinforced curled hair thereabout in irections at right angles to each other, so that the ends of each strip abut the-sides of the contiguous strip and confining said strips by winding with twine.

9. A method of making ame balls which comprises formin a core, y rolling a strip of reinforced cur ed hair and winding said core withtwine, winding strips of reinforced curled hair aboutsaid core in directions at right angles so that the ends of each strip abut the sides of the conti ous strip and strips arranged about said core, the strips confining said strips by win ing with twine. 3.5

comprising the alternate layers being wound in directions at right ang es to each other and shaped to substantially spherical form' by said layers of twine, and a'cover inclosing said body.

BERGET H. BLOCKSOM.

Witnesses:

W.- R. BROWN, Cums E. Loy. 

